“We are not helpless victims,” Banta declared. “We are the First Responders. Today, we will raise our own army: The WhatsApp First Responders and the Vetiver Army.”
Santa Banta
The Three Unlucky Cousins
It was a visit from three very dangerous cousins, Ignored Warning, Poor Planning, and No Cooperation and not mere bad luck that caused the recent Himalayan disaster.
The Case of the Greedy Mountain
A story about unplanned construction, geological vulnerability, and why you should never build your house in a giant’s mouth.
Santa’s Blessed Mohalla and the Ignored Landslide Warning
Adherence to disaster safety measures is to come by only with the acceptance that our inherent Positivity Bias makes us ignorant and vulnerable.
The German Lesson and the Bamboo Army
A story about moving from despair to action, and the discovery that the best solutions are often the simplest ones.
The Ghost of the Buried River
A story about a modern road, an old map, and the discovery that sometimes, the biggest floods happen where there is no river at all.
The Riverfront Property Steal
A real estate bargain can well turn out to be a high-risk liability – better ensure you are not encroaching the floodplains and not partnering obliteration of drainage as waas done in the Doon Valley.
Santa’s Rulebook Recitation and the Clogged Drain
Voluntary compliance of disaster safety measures through awareness and capacity building holds the key to community resilience and disaster safety.
Santa’s Heavy Duty Survival Kit
Survival kit is for immediate survival and mobility – keep it light and at an easily accessible place – regularly replace expired items.
Bhagirath Tapasya and the Modern Austerity
Conserving pristine natural ecology and environment of Ganga by way of not polluting its waters is our moral and spiritual duty.